Prabir's Eden pitch may not be to Dhoni's liking

Dec 3, 2012, 05.56AM ISTTNN

Groundsmen working on the Eden pitch in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: While the 'pitch row' ahead of the Kolkata Test between Indian and England continues, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) curator Prabir Mukherjee's choice of the Eden Gardens track for hosting the Test could add grist to the mill. That is because Mukherjee has earmarked a 'tired pitch' for the crucial match.

This is the same strip which hosted the Bengal-Gujarat Ranji Trophy tie from November 17 to 20. Certain BCCI quarters wanted the Test to be staged on another pitch, a 'fresher' one, which was used during the Bengal-Rajasthan Ranji match from November 2 to 5. However, Mukherjee has apparently snubbed the idea. The second track, some experts thought, would have had more bounce, carry and even spin, something Indian captain MS Dhoni wanted.

The apprehension is that a recently used pitch could be on the slower side and the odd delivery could stay low. In other words, it could turn out to be a slow turner. "This pitch was used for the Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat. They were 18 for 5 in their second innings but they fought back to draw the match. English spinners Swann and Panesar will enjoy this pitch. They bowl line and length," Mukherjee was quoted as saying in a website.

He also claimed "the pitch will have good pace and bounce". However, the fact that groundsmen have already used two-ton heavy rollers on the pitch has further compounded the matter and might prove Mukherjee wrong. "This may make the Eden pitch slower and lower," a source pointed out.

With Mukherjee more or less sticking to his guns, it will be interesting to see what will be BCCI's response if the pitch doesn't catch Dhoni's fancy and if the Indians lose again.